U.S. patent number 5,013,278 [Application Number 07/511,224] was granted by the patent office on 1991-05-07 for diorama toy kit.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Monogram Models, Inc.. Invention is credited to Anthony J. Dixon, Peter R. J. Manning.
United States Patent |
5,013,278 |
Dixon , et al. |
May 7, 1991 |
Diorama toy kit
Abstract
A miniature toy kit including a three-dimensional diorama scene,
figures positionable on the scene and a case which functions both
as a supporting field for the toy and a storage and carrying case.
The diorama scene is formed of an elastic and memory-retaining
material such as latex so that the same may be compressed into the
case for storage but springs back to its original three-dimensional
form when the case is opened. Different dioramas can be substituted
and numbers of kits can be connected in modular fashion. When
stored in the case, the figures are safely held against movement
and possible injury.
Inventors: |
Dixon; Anthony J. (Maresfield,
GB2), Manning; Peter R. J. (St. Briavels,
GB2) |
Assignee: |
Monogram Models, Inc. (Morton
Grove, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
24033980 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/511,224 |
Filed: |
April 19, 1990 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/73; 446/219;
446/478 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H
3/50 (20130101); A63H 33/42 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
3/50 (20060101); A63H 33/00 (20060101); A63H
3/00 (20060101); A63H 33/42 (20060101); A63H
003/00 (); A63H 003/50 () |
Field of
Search: |
;446/73,72,75,219,478,476,268 ;206/45.31,45.34,216
;220/662,663 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
334453 |
|
May 1920 |
|
DE2 |
|
790697 |
|
Feb 1958 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Yu; Mickey
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dressler, Goldsmith, Shore, Sutker
& Milnamow
Claims
We claim:
1. A miniature toy kit comprising:
a case having a pair of pivotally connected compartments;
a plurality of figures;
means in one of said compartments for storing said figures;
a three-dimensional diorama; and
retainer means operationally mounting said diorama in said case
with portions thereof positioned in the other of said
compartments,
said compartments being pivotable between an open condition wherein
the same provide a support field for the diorama and figures and a
closed condition wherein the same provide a storage case for the
diorama and figures,
said diorama comprising an elastic member compressible into the
case when in the closed condition and springing back to
three-dimensional form when the case is in the open condition.
2. A miniature toy kit according to claim 1 wherein said case
comprises a top compartment and a bottom compartment, said top
compartment comprising a rectangular box having side walls, end
walls and a floor, said first-mentioned means being positioned on
said floor.
3. A miniature toy kit according to claim 2 wherein each of said
figures comprises a base, said first-mentioned means comprising a
plurality of holders adapted to receive portions of said figure
bases, and a complementary retaining bar frictionally connectable
to said holders for securely retaining the figures in stored
condition.
4. A miniature toy kit according to claim 3 comprising a cover
pivotally connected to said top compartment for closing same, said
cover being transparent whereby the stored figures are visible
therethrough.
5. A miniature toy kit according to claim 4 wherein said cover
comprises a magnification area whereby a stored figure positioned
thereunder is visibly magnified.
6. A miniature toy kit according to claim 2 comprising latching
means on said top and bottom compartments for latching said
compartments in the closed condition.
7. A miniature toy kit according to claim 2 wherein said bottom
compartment comprises a rectangular rim of complementary
configuration with the walls of said top compartment, an inwardly
extending ledge and a well for supporting portions of the
operationally mounted diorama when the case is in the open
condition and for containing the compressed diorama when the case
is in the closed condition.
8. A miniature toy kit according to claim 7 wherein said retainer
means comprises a pair of channel-shaped retainers having depending
retainer pins, said retainer pins adapted to pass through holes in
border portions of the diorama and being frictionally engageable in
retainer holes formed in said ledge and floor.
9. A miniature toy kit according to claim 8 wherein said ledge and
the bottom surface of said floor comprise a substantially planar
support surface when the case is in the open condition.
10. A miniature toy kit according to claim 9 comprising connector
means for connecting a pair of said open condition cases in modular
relationship.
11. A miniature toy kit according to claim 10 wherein said
connector means comprises a bar having a pair of depending legs
forming a longitudinal channel, said channel being frictionally
engageable over the rims and portions of the top compartment end
walls of a pair of abutting open condition cases.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to miniature amusement devices and, more
particularly, to a self-contained toy kit capable of simulating
selected scenes, conditions and events.
Miniature toys which simulate realistic characters and/or objects
have ever provided a source of amusement and delight for children
and grownups alike. The popularity, for example, of toy soldiers,
miniature doll houses, model automobiles, and the like, is well
known.
Toy kits comprising a plurality of individual parts or pieces
present problems of safe and convenient storage when the toys are
not in use. Simple tossing of the individual pieces into a box or
similar container is often unacceptable because it may cause damage
such as scratching, chipping of paint, tearing or puncturing, or
the like, depending on the particular materials of
construction.
Other problems encountered with toy kits relate to their
portability and the ease with which they may be assembled,
disassembled and carried from place to place. Ideally, the kit
pieces may be safely stored and transported in the smallest
feasible carrying case and the carrying case should itself comprise
an element of the assembled toy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a toy kit having a realistic setting
in the form of a miniature diorama and a plurality of figures or
objects positionable as desired on or in the three-dimensional
scene. The kit includes a compact carrying case for safely storing
and transporting the individual pieces and also functioning as a
base or support for the diorama scene.
Briefly, the invention comprises a compact carrying case having a
pair of hingedly connected members which, when in the closed
storage mode, provide a pair of compartments. Means is provided in
one compartment for holding the individual miniature figures or
objects. Cooperating locking means is also provided for insuring
against unwanted movement of the figures during storage.
The invention comprises further a miniature scene or diorama. The
diorama is formed of a flexible but durable material, such as
latex, and natural or synthetic rubbers. When the case is closed,
the flexible diorama is folded and stored nicely in the second
compartment. When it is desired to set up the scene, the second
compartment is opened whereupon the resiliency and memory-retaining
characteristics of the material of construction cause the diorama
to return automatically to its original three-dimensional state. At
the same time, the opened case members provide a solid and level
base for supporting the diorama so that the figures may be
positioned thereon as desired.
The invention also provides a transparent cover for the first
compartment permitting observation of the stored figures. The cover
includes a magnification area so that the miniature figures may be
examined in detail if desired.
According to another feature of the invention, multiple dioramas
are connectable in modular arrangement to provide larger and varied
scenes.
Numerous other features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description of the
invention, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification,
and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts
throughout the same,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diorama toy kit embodying the
principles of the invention and showing the same in the closed
storage condition;
FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the top compartment of the case
open with the figures removed;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view substantially on the plane of line 3--3
in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the bottom
compartment of the case fully opened and the diorama and its
retaining means separated therefrom;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the diorama kit fully set
up;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a pair of dioramas
in modular connection; and
FIG. 8 is a sectional view on the plane of line 8--8 in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring with greater particularity to the various figures of the
drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates a diorama toy kit
embodying the principles of the invention. Toy kit 10 comprises
generally a twocompartment case 11, a diorama 13 and a plurality of
miniature FIGS. 15.
Case 11 comprises a top compartment 17 and a bottom compartment 19
hingedly connected as at 20. The top compartment 17 comprises a
rectangular box having a floor 22, side walls 24, 24, and end walls
26, 26. Projecting integrally from the facing surface of the floor
22 are a plurality of figure holders 28, said holders being adapted
to receive therein the pedestals or bases 30 formed on each of the
figures 15 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). A figure retaining bar 32
cooperates with the holders 28 to hold the figures in stored
condition, and said bar is operationally held by the frictional
engagement of pin projections 34 receivable in short tubes 36
projecting from the floor 22.
A transparent cover member 38 is pivotally connected to the end
walls 26 by pintles such as 40 for closing the compartment 17 while
permitting observation and viewing of the figures stored therein.
The cover member 38 carries a finger 42 which is frictionally
engageable with a side wall 24 to close the compartment 17, said
finger 42 being receivable in a notched opening 44 formed in the
retaining bar 32. The cover member 38 preferably is formed with a
double convex magnifying area 46 whereby the miniature figure
positioned thereunder may be observed in larger detail.
As seen best in FIG. 5, floor 22 is recessed slightly from the rear
edges of the side walls 24 and end walls 26 and said side walls
comprise end notches 48 so that the rearwardly extending end wall
segments provide rims 50 for reasons which will become apparent as
the description proceeds. The rear surface 52 of the floor 22 is
formed with a plurality of upraised pads 54 and spaced holes 56
whose function will likewise subsequently be described.
The bottom compartment 19 comprises a slightly smaller rectangular
box having a top rim defined by side rims 58, 58, and end rims 60,
60, that aligns and mates with the walls and rims of the top
compartment 17. Interiorly, the compartment 19 comprises a ledge 62
and a reduced dimension well 64. The ledge 62 is formed with a
plurality of upraised pads 66 and spaced holes 68 of similar
configuration and arrangement as those provided on the rear surface
52 of the floor of the top compartment. When the case 11 is fully
opened and placed on a horizontal supporting surface, the surface
52 and ledge 62 lie in substantially the same plane and provide, in
effect, a level supporting table for the diorama and figures.
The diorama 13 comprises an elastic and flexible member having
multiple levels such as upper level 70 and lower level 72 and a
perimetral flange 74. Various three-dimensional features such as a
hut 76 and a fox hole 78 are formed in relief on the diorama 13,
the embodiment illustrated thereby simulating a Vietnam War jungle
scene. Alignment holes 80 and retainer holes 82 are cut in the
flange 74. The diorama comprises a memory-retaining elastomeric
material, such as latex and natural or synthetic rubbers, and may
be made by well known conventional methods like dip molding and
slush molding.
For operationally mounting the diorama 13 in the case 11, the
invention comprises a pair of channel-shaped retainers 84 having
depending retainer pins 85. To assemble the diorama, the alignment
holes 80 are positioned over the pads 54 and 66 and the pins 85 of
the retainers then press-fit through the holes 82 and into the
holes 56 and 68. When thus assembled, it will be seen that the
lower level 72 of the diorama fits within the well 64 while the
upper level 70 rests on surface 52.
When storage is required, the two case compartments are simply
pivoted together to fold or compress and enclose the diorama 13
therein (see FIG. 3). A latching means, such as a flexible strap 86
is provided for latching the kit in the closed storage condition.
The strap 86 is pivotally connected and carries a pin 88
selectively cooperable with a slot 90 formed in the side wall 24 of
the upper compartment and a similar slot 92 formed in the bottom of
the lower compartment (see FIG. 4).
Dioramas depicting other battle scenes, such as a landing beach or
a bunker and trench position, may be substituted for the jungle
scene here illustrated. If desired, a diorama may be changed in a
single case 11 by removing the retainers and positioned diorama and
operationally replacing with another. On the other hand, means is
provided for modular connection of a number of toy kits 10, said
means comprising a connector bar 94 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Connector
bar 94 comprises a pair of depending legs 96, 96, forming a
longitudinal channel adapted to frictionally fit over the end rims
50 and 60 of a pair of abutting cases 11.
It should be appreciated that a preferred embodiment of the
invention has been described herein for illustrative purposes only
and is not intended to be otherwise limiting of the structural
concepts of the invention. Thus, for example, other types of
diorama scenes and figures may be substituted, such as racing
tracks, circuses, cars, horses, other animals, and the like. Other
changes and variations may be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *